The following information has been taken from our old Parish magazines.The information particularly concentrates upon inscriptions that can be found on various monuments and slabs within the church confines.We hope that this is of interest particularly to those searching out family history.

(1)

At one time Stowmarket was the centre for confirmations for that portion of the Archdeaconry of Suffolk included in the Deaneries of Bosmere Stow and part of Claydon, the Bishop confirming only at intervals of three years.Some of our elder readers may perhaps remember these triennial festivals, for festivals they really were.The candidates were brought early into the town from the neighbouring villages in farm wagons, which with the horses were decked with flowers and green boughs.The confirmation took place in a crowded church, friends and relatives flocking into the town to see their young people come forward in their turn, and to listen to the kindly counsels of the Bishop.Sometimes a brass band accompanied the candidates on their journey to the town, and always the merry bells, which are still as silvery and sweet as ever, made music for the town.

So far all was well.But when the ceremony had come to an end and it was time to think of the journey home again, things were not well.A good deal of drinking ensued, and too often what was commenced in a sober and religious spirit, ended in quarrels, bad language, and insobriety.

Some old lists of Stowmarket persons confirmed will be interesting to those who care for ancient local history – and nowadays, who does not – as indicating the connexion with the town of that time of families whose representatives are still among us.It is worth noting that the number confirmed from Stowmarket itself was very small, indicating it is to be feared much coldness and indifference among church folk of the various periods interested.The first list gives the names of candidates presented on June 9th, 1729, by the Vicar, and reads as follows :-

“The names of ye persons were confirmed by William Lord Bishop of Norwich (Dr. Baker), at his primary visitation holden at Stowmarket on June 9th, 1729, are as followeth, viz:-

FEMALESMALES

Susanna WoodwardRobert Harper

Mary HarperJohn Minter

Elizabeth BaemJohn Turner

Deborah Turner

“The names of ye persons who were confirmed by Robert Lord Bishop of Norwich (Dr. Butts) at his primary visitation holden at Stowmarket on June 14th, 1735, are as followeth, viz:-

FEMALESMALES

Miss FernleyJohn Pizzy

Frances AlexanderThos. Howe

Sarah LawsGeorge Morgan

Mary ScrivenerThomas Turner

Elisabeth MinterEdmund Minter

Hannah MinterFrancis Miles

Susan PizzyJames Davie

Sarah Howe

Elisabeth Howe

Martha Smith

Jane Harper

In 1747 occurs the following note :-“Dr. Gooche. None of ye parish were confirmed at his primary visitation holden at Stowmarket on June 20th, 1747.”

(2)

The engraving of the “Adoration of the Magi” (date, 1513), is by Lucas Van Leyden chief of the school of “Little Masters” – so called because their work was principally confined to small engravings – usually only few square inches in size – which however are so rare, and so much sought after by connoisseurs and collectors, that they usually command very large prices.

The print now presented to the Church is the largest Lucas is known to have produced, and although in excellent preservation, is really as old as some parts of the structure of the Church itself.Lucas Van Leyden was born in 1494, and died in 1533.By the time he was 16 years of age he became the friendly Dutch rival of the great German artist and engraver, Albert Durer.

The subject of the engraving is the “Epiphany of our Blessed Lord,” and is full of curious interest.The ground is filled with quaint figures in the costumes of the engraver’s day.The Virgin Mother and the Holy Child with St. Joseph are on the right, and the centre of the piece is occupied by the stately portrait of the then reigning German Kaiser, or as he is more correctly styled, the holy Roman Emperor Maximilian 1., surnamed the Great:doubtless there are other portraits among the potentates present.The Emperor is in the act of handing his cup to a figure on his right, and in his left hand is holding a large chalice or golden cup, which he is about to present.The infant Christ is represented is represented as peering curiously into a casket already placed before him by another kingly person.

(3)

“HOME WORDS” – September 1902

Poem by Canon Twells

Times Paces

“When as a child I laughed and wept;

TIME CREPT.

When as a youth I waxed more bold,

TIME STROLLED.

When I became a full grown man:

TIME RAN.

When older still I daily grew,

TIME FLEW.

When soon I shall find in passing on,

TIME GONE.

O CHRIST!Wilt thou have saved me then.

AMEN.

PARISHMAGAZINEJULY 1901

The author of “monumental inscriptions & heraldry in StowmarketChurch,” Mr. Charles Partridge, was appointed to an important post in West Africa.

(4)

BELFRY RULES(CIRC1714)

Once painted on a board in StowmarketChurch tower.

We ring the quick to church, the dead to grave.

Good is our use, such usage let us have.

Who swears or curses, or in chol’ric

mood,

quarrels or curses, although he draws no blood,

who wears his hat, or spur, or overturns

a bell,

or by unskilful handling mars a peal,

let him pay six pence for each

single crime,

‘twill make him cautious ‘gainst another time.

So when the bells are ceased,

then let us sing,

God bless our holy church! God save the King.

(5)

MONUMENTS IN STOWMARKETCHURCH. - By the kindness of Mr. C. Partridge we are enabled to supply a series of descriptions of the tomb inscriptions, monuments, brasses and mural tablets in our parishChurch.

Sacred to the memory of SAMUEL HOLLINGSWORTH, ESQ’RE, who died at Grouville, in the island of Jersey, on the 30th March, 1843, in the 86th year of his age, saying “I am in the full prospect of a glorious immortality thro’ the merits of my Redeemer.”

Below the inscription is the Hollingsworth coat-of-arms; azure on a bend argent three holly-leaves vert; crest, a stag couchant reguardant argent; motto, semper eadem (always the same). He was in the Royal Navy, and was father of the Vicar of Stowmarket.

No. 2 Tablet on N. wall.

This tablet is erected to the memory of ARTHUR GEORGE HARPUR HOLLINGSWORTH,

Clerk, M.A., Vicar of the united parishes of Stowmarket and Stowupland, for 25 years.He died at his residence, Langer-|House, Felixstowe, on the 2nd January, 1859, aged 57 years.

“In Jesus.”

Above the inscription is the following coat-of-arms: Hollingsworth (quartering Karr, de Vere, Christian) impaling (? De Montfort, quartering? and ?); crest and motto, as on No.1.His ‘History of Stowmarket’ appeared in 1844, with his pedigree at p.63.

No. 3 Tablet on N. wall, over door opening into vestry.The lettering has been gilded by some modern hand, (probably when the Tyrell monuments were restored), and the workman, not understanding Latin, has made several mistakes.The inscription is here printed correctly, the mistakes being recorded afterwards.

Gratitudinis ergo hoc marmor posuerunt

hujus loci Incolae Monimentum Virt, rarae [1] eruditio [2]

nis, rarae pietatis et (quod solum instar omnium

est) rarae Charitatis Reuerendi admodum

RICHARDI SHUTE

qui hic olim [3] in Sacris praesidebat, [4] et

uitium et malos mores (post obitum

suum non tam faciles expugnatu) Vita

Doctrina imo etiam et Venerabili aspectu

expugnabat, miseris et egenis pater dum

Vixit, mortuus angustis rebus Succerrere

non [5] desijt: Quippe qui nouissimo

Testamento pauperibus hujus oppidi

Centum minas dono reliquit Vita functus

est opulentis et egenis bonis et malis summo [6]

lucto deplorandus

Anno Dom: 1686 – 7: AEtatis Suae 54

[1] Engraved “Virtrarae. ” [2] The hyphen is not gilded.[3] Gilded as “hie olmi”.[4] This comma is not gilded.[5] Gilded as “nott”.[6] Gilded as Sumtn”.

Following is the translation of the above

Out of gratitude the inhabitants of this place have erected this stone as a memorial to the excellence of the eminent learning, eminent piety, and (what alone of all things is valuable) the eminent kindliness of the truly Reverend Richard Shute, who here of late was foremost in sacred duties; by his life, his creed, and also even by his benignant countenance, he strove against both vice and evil customs (after his death not so easily vanquished); to the unhappy and needy a father while he lived; in death he did not cease to minister to their wants, for by his last will he bequeathed £100 to the poor of this town; in life he did his duty to the rich and poor, to the good and bad; mourned for with deepest grief [he died] A.D. 1686 – 7 [I.e. 1686 old style, 1687 new style] aged 54.

Above the inscription is an heraldic shield: Shute (per chevron sable and or in chief two eagles displayed of the second) impaling Fairclough (or a lion rampant sable between three fleurs-de-lis azure).

No. 4East Window, filled in with coloured glass, and having five large lights.On the N. side a brass plate fixed to the wall bears the following inscription: -

THE TWO ADJACENT LIGHTS OF THIS WINDOW WERE GIVEN

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF

ANNA LAETITIA MARRIOTT, WIDOW OF JOHN MARRIOTT,

WHO DIED 9TH FEBRUARY, 1882, AGED 81 YEARS.

AND OF JOHN MARRIOTT, HIS ELDEST SON,

WHO DIED 5TH JANUARY 1884, AT KARACHI, SCINDE, AGED 55 YEARS.

The middle light is inscribed:

IN MEMORIAM MARIAE. ISABELLAE . OAKES . P .C CONJUX AMANTISSIMUS.

The fourth light from the N. end is inscribed:

IN MEMORIAM . FREDERICI BECK . MARRIOTT . MATER FRATER . ET . SOROR.

The fifth light from the N. end is inscribed:

IN . MEMORIAM . JOHANNIS MARRIOTT P . C . UXOR ET . LIBERI.

On the S. side a brass plate fixed to the wall bears the following inscription:

THE TWO ADJACENT LIGHTS OF THIS WINDOW WER GIVEN

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF

JOHN MARRIOTT OF STOWMARKET,

WHO DIED MARCH 10TH, 1875, AGED 79 YEARS.

AND OF FREDERICK BECK MARRIOTT, HIS YOUNGEST SON,

WHO DIED 11TH OCTOBER 1875, AGED 40 YEARS.

The letters “P.C.” in the above inscriptions stand for “ponendum curavit” – “caused [this window] to be put up”.

For generations the Marriotts were lawyers, and for generations they have lived near Stowmarket – at Mendlesham, Stowupland, Needham Market.In Mendlesham churchyard they are commemorated by a group of altar-tombs on the S. side of the Chancel.The oldest is for Robert Marriott, who died 26th October, 1707, aged 102 years.He was born, therefore, in 1604 or 1605.His son, Robert Marriott of Mendlesham, born 1649-50, died in 1726, aged 76.In the next generation was Robert Marriott of Mendlesham, afterwards of Stowupland, attorney-at-law, born 1688-89, bought Thorney Hall in Stowupland in 1740, and died in 1767, aged 78.He married Sarah, daughter of Francis Brooke of Kersey Priory, by Martha his wife, youngest daughter and co-heiress of Peregrine Clarke of Kersey priory.(Mary Brooke, Mrs Marriott’s sister, married John Medows of Henley Hall, and their son, John Medows Theobald, was High Sheriff of Suffolk in 1787.Elizabeth Brooke, another sister married Francis Theobald of the MiddleTemple, grandson of Sir Francis Theobald of Barking Hall.)Robert and Sarah Marriott had two sons: Robert of Stowupland, attorney, died without issue in 1794, aged 60, and John of Needham Market, born 1736-37, died in 1785, aged 48.The latter married Martha, daughter of Nich. Diggon of Wangford Hall, by Martha his wife, daughter of the Rev. Matt. Goodrich, Rector of Brandon, who was descended from Tho. Goodrich, Bishop of Ely in Henry VIII’s reign.(The Rector of Brandon’s wife was daughter of the Rev. John Wright, Chief Justice of the King’s Bench in 1687).John and Martha Marriott were parents of John Marriott of Thorney Hall, Stowupland, born 1760-1, died in 1824, aged 63, having married Martha Diggon Batman.She was younger daughter of the Rev. Tho. Batman, Rector of Ickburgh with Langford, Norfolk.Their second son, John Marriott of Stowmarket, solicitor, born 1795-96, died in 1875, aged 79, having married Anna Laetitia, daughter of Edward Bigsby Beck of Creeting St Mary.Their son, the Hon. John Marriott, Advocate-General of Bombay, was father of Mr Charles Marriott, one of the Churchwardens in 1901.

The middle light of the east window is in memory of Mary Isabel, wife of Hervey Aston Oakes, who died 19th January 1872.The Oakes family have been connected with Bury St Edmunds and its neighbourhood for several generations.They originated in Lancashire.William Oakes of Ardwick, Manchester, was father of William Oakes of the same place, who married Elizabeth Beck, and was father of James Oakes, baptised 1701.He settled at Bury, and married, as second wife, Susan, daughter of Orbell Ray, alderman of that town.He died in 1759, aged 58; she in 1788, aged 82, and both were buried in St James’ Church at Bury.Their son, James Oakes of Bury, banker, J.P. and D.L., born 1741, married in 1764, Elizabeth Adamson of Warham, Norfolk, died in 1829, aged 87, and was buried in St Mary’s Church at Bury.They had two sons, the younger of whom, the Rev. James Oakes, M.A., many years Rector of Tostock and Rattlesden, and Vicar of Thurston and Gipping, married the only daughter of the Rev. Charles Tyrell, grandfather of the late Colonel Tyrell of Plashwood, and had an only son, Charles Tyrell Oakes of East Burgholt, and several daughters, one of whom was wife of the Rev. the Hon. Henry Leslie, Rector of Wetherden, son of the Countess of Rothes.The elder son of James and Elizabeth Oakes of Bury was Orbell Ray Oakes of Bury, J.P. and D.L., born 1768, who in 1832 purchased the manor of Nowton and part of the lands, which estate, now called Nowton Court, is still the seat of his descendants.He married, in 1795, Elizabeth Frances, third daughter of John Plampin of Chadacre Hall, Shimpling, and died in 1837.They had four sons and an only daughter, Elizabeth Frances, wife of Lieut-Col. R.S. Hustler, R.E.The eldest son, Henry James Oakes, M.A., J.P., and D.L., of Nowton Court, born 1796, High Sheriff of Suffolk in 1847, married, in 1820, Mary Anne, daughter of the Rev. Robert Porteus, grandnephew of Dr. Beilby Porteus, Bishop of London, and died in 1875.His eldest son was the late James Henry Porteus Oakes of Nowton Court, M.A., J.P., and D.L., M.P. for Bury, 1852-57.(Francis Marian, only daughter of Henry James Oakes, married the Rev. Henry Bunbury Blake, and was mother of the present Sir Patrick James Graham Blake, fifth baronet of Bardwell Manor, near Ixworth.)The youngest son of Orbell Ray Oakes was the Rev. Hervey Aston Adamson Oakes, M.A., of Bury, Rector of Nowton, who by Elizabeth his wife, daughter of the Rev. T.H. Elvin, Rector of east Barnet, Hertfordshire, was father of Hervey Aston Oakes, J.P., of Stowmarket.

No.5Window on south side of altar, filled with coloured glass.

Below the window is a brass plate bearing the following inscription:-

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF HENRY LEWIS, M.A., FOR 15 YEARS VICAR OF THIS PARISH, WHO DIED JULY 31st, 1876, AGED 53, AT KNIGHTS ENHAM, ANDOVER, OF WHICH PLACE HE WAS RECTOR ONLY A FEW MONTHS.THIS WINDOW IS ERECTED BY HIS SORROWING WIDOW, JANE MARGARET LEWIS.“HE BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH.”

Mr. Lewis is remembered with affectionate regard by many of his parishioners here.

No. 6Tablet on South Wall

NEAR THIS PLACE

ARE DEPOSITED THE REMAINS OF

JOHN BOBY, GENT.,

(LATE OF STOWUPLAND),

WHO DIED THE 7TH OF APRIL, 1817;

AGED 74 YEARS.

ALSO ANN, RELICT OF JOHN BOBY, GENT.,

WHO DIED THE 25TH OF JANUARY, 1835,

AGED 84 YEARS.

The Bobys are one of the oldest yeoman families still represented in this neighbourhood.the farm at Stowupland called The Ashes was owned and occupied by them from Charles II’s reign until 1880, and the ancient moated manor-house of Columbine Hall, Stowupland, has been tenanted by them for generations. Mr Robert Boby, of Columbine hall, has in his possession a lease, dated 1732, of property at Stowupland then occupied by John Boby, of Stowupland, yeoman, and Rob. B. his son as tenants of the Garneys family, and in another lease, dated 1773, the tenants are Eliz. Boby, widow, and John B. her son.Probably the first-named John was father of the Rob. Boby, of Stowupland, who was born 1705-6, died a765, aged 59 (head-stone in Stowmarket churchyard).His son John, born 1742-43, married Ann Cross, and died 1817, aged 74 (tablet in Stowmarket chancel).Their son, John Boby, of The Ashes, born there 1786, married Sarah Sadler, of Boxted, near Colchester, and died 1869.He was father of John B., of The Ashes, Robert Boby, now of Columbine Hall (married Eliz. King, of Stowmarket), and Henry B., of WyverstonePark, afterwards of The Ashes.

Mr. Boby, of Columbine Hall, has also an old copy of the will, dated 1754, of Nicholas Boby, of Stowupland, yeoman.He names his daughter Anne Whaits, his grandsons John Wright Boby, and George and Nich. Whaits, and his wife Lydia, daughter of Tho. and Lydia Richer.One of the executors was Rob. Boby the younger, of Stowupland, yeoman.In Stowmarket churchyard there is a head-stone for ich. Whaits,”Late of Columbine Hall,” born 1739-40, died 1821, aged 81.“Mr. Boby, jun., of Stowupland” was a subscriber to the 1764 edit. of The Suffolk Traveller.

Section B. Slabs on floor of Chancel, E. to W.

No. VIII.

Here lyeth the body of THOMAS BLACKERBY

Esq: who was elected ALDERMAN of the City

of LONDON in the year of our Lord 1666

fined for the same and for SHERIFFE

of the said city.. He was HIGH SHERIFFE

of this County in the year of our Lord 1669.

He was a man of very great TEMPERANCE

of exemplary CHARITY of profound

HUMILITY and strict PIETY very ZEALOUS

in the discharge of his duty both as a

MAGISTRATE and as a private person

He did much good both in this Town

and other places whilest he lived

and is gone to receive his Reward

He died 2 Nov. 1688 Aetat. Suoe 76

MORIENDO VIUIT>

Above the inscription is the following coat-of-arms: - Gyronny of eight on a carton a mullet (Blackerby), impaling A chief and in base three roses two and one (Sparrow); over all, in middle chief point, a crescent for difference.Crest:- A man’s head between two laurel branches.

Section B.Slabs on floor of Chancel, E. to W.

No. IX

This inscription is partly worn away.The letters, &c., in square brackets are taken from Davy’s “Suffolk Church Notes” in the BritishMuseum, Add. Ms. 19106).

Here lye interd the bodyes of SAMUEL

BLACKERBY and Ann his Wife:

He was Vicar of this Town for almost 12 years:

She was ye Daughter of RICHARD FFORSTER

of NASSINGTON in NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Gent:as also the bodyes of NATHANIEL

THOMAS AND MARTHA

their Children:

They both loved greatly desired

and dyed greatly lamented.

He dyed 20th Decr. 1674 Aetat Suae 5 6

She dyed 12th Novr. 1666 Aetat Suae 4 6

MEMORIA JUSTI BENEDICTA

Above the inscription is the following shield:- Blackerby (as in No. viii.) impaling A chevron between three bugle-horns stringed (Forster).Davy adds a crescent to the Blackerby shield for difference, and the Blackerby crest.(In the description of the Blackerby shield in No. viii., “carton” is a misprint for “canton”.)

Above the inscription is the following shield:- Per chevron in chief two eagles displayed (Shute), impaling a lion rampant between three fleurs-de-lis (Fairclough).There is a tablet to Mr. Shute on the N. wall of the chancel-see No.III.

The coat-of-arms above the inscription has long been worn away.“Ketton” is a corruption of Kedington.

No. XII.

In Memory of

NATHL. FAIRCLOUGH Gent.

a valuable and useful Inhabitant of this Parish

who died Janry. 17th 1753 Aged 78.

And of ELIZ: his belov’d Wife

who died April 6th 1756 Aged 73.

As also three of their Children

COOKE died an Infant in 1714

JOHN died 25th May 1729 Aged 13 years

ELIZABETH died 12th November 1733

Aged 23 years.

Above the inscription is the following coat-of-arms:- A lion rampant between three fleurs-de-lis (Fairclough); crest, A lion rampant.

No. XIII.

In Memory of

JOSEPH LAMB

who departed this Life

the 24th Janry, 1782,

Aged 67 years.

Also of MARGARET his Wife

who departed this Life

the 14th June 1784,

Aged 66 years.

Also SARAH the Wife of

MR. WILLM. RANSON of LONDON,

And Daughter of

JOSEPH and MARGARET LAMB

who died the 4th May 1791

Aged 35 years.

No. XIV.

On this slab, which lies partly in the chancel and partly in the nave, is a matrix or mould, 12 inches long by 3 broad, containing formerly an inscribed brass plate.On 5 February 1644 (new style) Stowmarket Church was visited by the notorious Wm. Dowsing, appointed by the Parliament to desecrate Churches in this county, who records in his diary:- We gave orders to break down about 70 superstitious Pictures [meaning saintly figures in the windows and on the walls]; and to levell the Chancel, to Mr. Manning, that promised to do it; and to take down 2 Crosses, one on the Steeple and the other on the Church, (as it is called [meaning Nave]); and took of [up] an Inscription, of ora pro nobis.

Considerable damage was done by these fanatics (see Hollingsworth’s Hist. of Stowmarket, 165-167), but a careful examination of vol.XXX of Davy’s Suffolk Collections in the British Museum convinces me that quite as much, if not more, damage has been done in our church by so-called “restorers” of the nineteenth century!When Davy visited Stowmarket in 1811 and 1827, the church contained many objects of art and interest which have since been “restored” away.Only a few years ago, many of the head-stones in the churchyard were ruthlessly removed from the graves to which they belonged- monuments erected at the expense of the deceased’s relatives or friends- and set up, some in hideous straight rows, and others as a sort of exterior dado to the south side of the church.

No. XV.

Before leaving the chancel, another inscription should be recorded.A small slab lying between the doorway in the S. wall and the middle aisle is inscribed:

The Mouth of Late

Mr. JOHN BOBY’S

Vault.

Notes on this family appeared in the Parish Magazine of August and September, 1901.

Church History (continued)

Section C.Slabs on floor of Nave, E. to W.

No. XV.

This inscription is almost indecipherable, but just enough remains to show that it is what Davy has recorded at fo. 192b of vol. XXX of his Suffolk Collections (Add. Ms. 19,106).He transcribed it from a copy taken in 1721 or 1756.

HERE LYES YE BODY OF RICHARD

PERNHAM BACHELOR IN DIVINITY

VICCAR SOMETIME OF THIS P’ISHE [PARISH]

WHO DIED YE FIRST OF FEBRUARY

1627,

Thus tyme and death doe earth to earth restore

This sonne w… … …mo… … … … …st reposeth

and he that liv… …a… … … … …divine before

Lyes here interr’d, a grave a grave incloseth.

None will I hope so sacreligious prove

To robb him of his due desert and merritt,

But with his virtues, if they fall in love

And covett such rare jewells to inheritt,

Know yt [that] this stone makes to the world relation

He left them in her… …self for imitation

He [? two words.]

Mr. Pernham became Vicar on the 10 Nov., 1625, and was buried here, according to the register, on 4 Feb., 1628 (new style), being succeeded on 27 Mar., 1628, by Tho. Yonge see No. xvii).

No. XVI.

Beneath are Interred the Remains of

WILLIAM ALDRICH Gent.

who died 25th March 1767

Aged 66 Years.

ELIZth. his wife died 5th April 1773

Aged 70 Years.

MARY Life of Mr. JNo. ALDRICH

died 25th March 1771

Aged 30 Years.

AMY, JOHN, MARY and CAROLINE

(Issue of Mr. JOHN ALDRICH

and AMY his Second Wife)

died in their Infancy.

Mrs. MARY MUDD died Febry. 17th 1773

Aged 60 Years

Mr. PELHAM ALDRICH

died 18th Sepbr. 1778

Aged 39 Years.

MR. JOHN ALDRICH

died 12th April 1797

Aged 51 Years.

AMY, Wife of Mr. JOHN ALDRICH

died 9th July 1816, Aged 67 Years.

ELIZTH, Daur. of JOHN and AMY ALDRICH

died 26th January 1823, Aged 35 Years.

No. XVII.

Now indecipherable.It commemorates the famous Dr. Young, Vicar of Stowmarket,

Davy records the following arms above the inscription: Three piles on each a roundel in chief; crest gone.

In Christ’s Coll. Magazine (Camb.) of Mich. Term 1895, an article appeared by C.P. entitled “Another Milton’s Mulberry Tree.” The above inscription was there printed and commented upon.

No. XVIII

Under this Marble Rest the Remains

of MRS. ELIZABETH BARNES

who departed this Life

May 13th, 1754

who was the Best of Parents

A Virtuous Wife the Best of Friends

Just to all.

But the path of the Just is as the Shining Light that Shineth more and

more unto the parfect Day.Prov:4 v 18.

And one of her Daughters

MRS. ELIZABETH BERRY BARNES

who departed this Life Octbr. 19th, 1763

and resteth till that Joyfull Day

when we shall rise to sing eternal Praises

and Hallelujahs, World without End, Amen.

And also the Body of

MRS. SARAH BEWLEY BARNES

who died the 23rd Day of November 1778.

Above the inscription are the following arms:-Quarterly, 1 and 4, Two bars embattled in chief three roundel (Barnes), 2 and 3, Per pale a lion rampant guardant crowned (Bestney), impaling, Ermine on a canton an orle (Bewley); crest, A leopard passant collared and lined.

No. XIX.

In Hope of ye Ressurrection to

Life Eternal Under this Stone

are Deposited ye Body of MR.

IOHN VICTORYN son of MR. PETER

VICTORYN a Dutch Merchant

in London where he was

born A.D. 1662, and departed

this life ye 30th of Aug. 1720

Aged 58.

Then occurs the following coat-of-arms:-Quarterly, 1 and 4, A jamb winged, 2 and 3, Three hedgehogs two and one, impaling A chevron between three garbs; crest, A jamb winged.

Also ye Body of Elizabeth his

Widdow who Departed this

Life ye 29th of May 1725

Aged 53.

Section C.Slabs on floor of Nave, E. to W.

No. XX

In Memory of

MR. JOHN VICTORYN

Late of this Town

Apothecary

who died the 7th Febry. 1731

Aged 37 Years.

Also

of JOHN the SON

of the aforesaid MR. VICTORYN

who died the 11th Augst. 1748

Aged 19 years.

Also

Robt. VICTORYN

who departed this Life

the 4th Sepr. 1767

Aged 36 years.

Also

of MRS MARGARET CHESSON,

who dyed on the 4th August 1779

Aged 72

And was the Mother of the said

ROBERT VICTORYN.

Section C.Slabs on floor of Nave, E. to W.

No. XXI

(This slab lies just E. of the fire grating).

Sacred to the Memory of

CONSTANCE VICTORYN

Wife of ROBERT VICTORYN

who departed this Life

the 28th of July, 1803

Aged 67 years.

Nos. XXII-XXIV.

Under the large mat at the west entrance lie three monumental slabs, one of which show the matrix of a brass shield, and another the matrix of a brass inscription plate about 9 ½ inches long.

Section D.Window and Mural Tablets in S. Aisle.

No. XXV.

The window at the E. end has three lights, the middle one of which is filled with coloured glass, and bears the following inscription:-

IN – MEMORIAM – A – L – SIMPSON – QUI – PARVULIS – IN CHRISTO – INS –

TITUENDIS – SE – DABAT – HANC - PARTEM – FENESTRE – P – C – AMICI

which may be translated – Friends have caused this part of the window to be put up in memory of A. L. Simpson, who used to apply himself in training the very young for Christ.(Arthur Lankester Simpson, who died 26th August 1872, was superintendent of the Sunday School, a post at one time filled by his father, Mr. Thomas Simpson).

Section D.Window and Mural Tablets in S. Aisle.

No. XXVI.

Tablet on S. wall, between the first and second windows from E. end.

Near this Place lye the Remains

of CHARLES BLOSSE Esqr.

Youngest Son of THOS. BLOSSE Esqr.

of BELSTED Hall in Suffolk,

He married ALICE only Daugr. of JOHN HOW

of this place Gentleman,

by whom he had Issue three Sons and three Daugrs.

JOHN and ELIZABETH only Survived him,

He departed this Life on the 28th of May

In the year of our Lord 1724,

Aged 76.

ELIZABETH

who excelled in the Practice of the Duties

both of Nature and Religion

Died on the 20th Decr. 1753

JOHN BLOSSE Esqr. Citizen and Stationer of LONDON

Deeply Affected with the LOSS

of his truly Excellent Sister Survived her

only till the third of May 1754.

Aged 64.

Above the inscription is a coat of arms:Three griffins passant in pale (Blosse); crest broken off.

Section D.Window and Mural Tablets in S. Aisle.

No. XXVII.

Tablet on S. wall, between first and second windows from W. end, and near the Font.

Near this Place are Interred

the Remains of THOMAS MORE

Late of this Town Gent,

who died the 10th Novr. 1754

Aged 66 years.

Also ELIZTH, Relict of the said THOS,

who died the 1st of July, 1759

Aged (blank) years.

Also FRANCES BALL Daughter of

the said THOMAS and ELIZABETH

who died the 19th of Octr. 1772

Aged 56 years.

Also THOMAS MORE Gent, Son of

the said THOMAS and ELIZABETH

who died the 6th April 1773

Aged 56 years.

Also CHARLOTTE MARY Daughter of

the said THOMAS MORE the Son

who died the 9th of Febry. 1775

Aged 14 years.

Section E.Slabs on floor of S. Aisle.

No. XXVIII.

Between second and third pillars from E. end.

Sacred to the Memory of the Revd.

SAMUEL FARR, M.A.Vicar of this Church,

22 years, and sometime Vicar of

Finborrough Magna: who departed this

Life the 13th of March, 1709;

In the 58th year of his Age.

Also SUSANN his Wife who died the

27th of April, 1688.

And two of their Children, viz:

Robert died Oct: 29th 1691, Ag[d] 4 years.

Sarah died April 13th 1696, Agd. 11 years.

Here also lieth MARY his second wife,

who died Augst the 11th 1714.

In duty to the Deceased this Stone is

affixed by his SON WILLIAM FARR, of

the City of Norwich, School Master.

Above the inscription, in a circle, is an intricate monogram – SF twice.

No. XXIX

Monumental Slab, inscription worn away, lying first W. of No. XXVIII.

No. XXX.

Monumental Slab, inscription worn away, lying on floor of S. Porch.

Section FMonuments in the Tyrell Chapel.

According to a nineteenth-century manuscript now in the possession of H.A. Oakes, Esq., “The east end of the [north] aisle was divided off by a screen of wood from the west, and the two arches opening from it into the chancel [nave] were filled up, one with a screen of wood, the other with an altar-tomb.”The etching of the “Interior of Stowmarket Church” facing p.78 of Hollingsworth’s History (published 1844) shows the wooden screen in the second arch from the east end of the north aisle.During the latter half of the nineteenth century “restorations” took place, and many interesting objects disappeared from the Church, including this “beautifully carved screen” (Hollingsworth, foot-note at p. 125).It is said to have been removed to MendleshamChurch!This enclosure at the east end of the north aisle was for centuries the burial place of the ancient knightly family of Tyrell, and may fitly be called the Tyrell Chapel.The Tyrells owned Gipping Hall about 450 years, being a branch of the family of Tyrell of Essex, and played a prominent part in the history of the country as well as of their county – see Shakespeare’s Richard III., Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, Hollingsworth, & c.The last of the family, Lieut. -Col. Walter Robert Tyrell, of Plashwood, Haughley, died 23rd June, 1891, aged 80.It was probably he who caused the mural monuments in the Tyrell chapel to be re-painted and re-gilded. The greater part of the east wall of this Chapel was formerly occupied by a large “perpendicular” window, which, when the present choir-vestry was built, was replaced by an archway.The Tyrell monuments, the most interesting in the Church, will be described in future issues.

No XXXI.

On the N. wall is a monument of marble and alabaster, painted and gilded.Its cornice is supported on pilasters, quaintly ornamented with emblems of death and of war (“the whole armour of God”), and having a lion’s head at the top of each.Down their fronts hang ribbons and tasselled cords to which are attached the emblems, arranged saltier-wise with bunches of flowers, fruit, and leaves.The objects on the dexter side are: two torches; two crutches, a book, and a scrip or wallet; a pickaxe and shovel.Those on the sinister side are: a battleaxe and spear; a helmet and two arrows; two bows.It commemorates Margaret English, daughter of Sir John Tyrell of Gipping, by Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Monday, Lord Mayor of London, and the artist has fashioned in miniature her figure facing those of a group of relatives.She wears black gown, white ruff, and black bonnet with white coif and a long black veil hanging down behind, and kneels on a cushion at a lectern or reading-desk, covered with a green cloth fringed with gold, and having an open book on each of its two sloping sides.On the other side kneel her brother Thomas Tyrell, his wife Mary, their six sons – Thomas, John, George, Vincent, James, and Charles – and their four daughters – Elizabeth, Mary, Frances, and Judith.Thomas Tyrell is in armour with a ruff; he is bearded, and his head is uncovered.His wife and family are all in black; the daughters have no veils to their bonnets; the sons, who are all bearded, wear cloaks, ruffs (one has a collar instead), doublets, and trunk hose, and carry swords.The sable gloom of this kneeling group is slightly relieved by the red, green, and blue of their cushions, corded and tasselled with gold.In two panels at the base of the monument is the following inscription:

TO THE MEMORYE OF MARGARET ENGLISH OF

THE CITYE OF WESTMINSTER IN THE COVNTIE OF

IR

MIDD ONE OF THE DAVGHTERS OFS IOHN TIRRELL

KNIGHT AND OF HER LOVINGE BROTHER AND SIS

TER THOMAS AND MARY TIRRELL WITH THEIR 6

ET

SONNES AND 4 DAVGHTERS THE WHICH MARGAR

IN TESTIFICATION OF HER LOVE AND BOVNTIFVLL

DISPOSITION TO THE POORE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN

OF STOWE MARKET & GYPPINGE HAMLET OF THE

SAMNE HATH GIVEN ONE HVNDRED POVNDS FOR

TIE

THE PVRCHAS OF A YERELY ANNVITIE OF TWEN

NOBLES FOR EVER THE RELIEFE OF THE SAME PORE

& HATH CAVSED THIS MONVMENT TO BE ERECTED

IN THIS CHVRCH OF STOWEMARKET AFORESAID

THE XX DAYE OF OCTOBER ANO DOM 1604

The monument having evidently been erected during the lifetime of Margaret English and her relations, the miniature figures are probably more or less actual portraits of them.A noble or rial was a gold coin worth 6s. 8d.

Above the kneeling group are two shields, each surmounted by a golden-winged cherub and a ring, from which hang golden ribbons.That on the dexter side bears Barry of six argent and sable (English), and the other has Argent two chevrons azure within a bordure engrailed gules (Tyrell).Above the cornice there used to be the coat-of-arms which is now wrongly placed on the top of the large painted Tyrell monument (No. xxxiii) on the E. wall of this chapel.It bears: Quarterly of four – 1, Tyrell with a martlet sable for difference;2, Paly of six argent and sable (Burgate);3, Gules on a chevron engrailed argent three dolphins vert (Flambert);4, Argent a cross between four escallops sable (Coggeshall).Crest – out of the mouth of a boar’s head erect argent a peacock’s tail proper.

No. XXXII

This is the only “brass” now remaining in the Church.It is of local workmanship.It lay formerly on the floor of the Tyrell Chapel, but about 1893 it was taken up and nailed to the E. wall, below the monument dated 1641 (see No. xxxiii).Fortunately, its original slab with the two “matrix” still remains on the floor, opposite Margaret English’s monument.It consists of two parts.The upper part, 193/4 inches in length, represents a child wrapped up in a shroud, and has the following inscription:

ANN – TYRELL

DYED 1638 AGED 8

YEARES & 6 MONETHS

The lower part measures 20 by 22 inches, and is inscribed with the following lines:

DEARE VIRGINE-CHILD FAREWELL THY MOTHERS TEARES

CANNOT ADVANCE THY MEMORY, WCH BEARES

ACROWNE ABOVE THE STARRES: YET I MUST MOVRNE,

AND SHEW THE WORLD MY OFFRINGS AT THINE VRNE.

AND, YET, NOT MEERLY, AS A MOTHER, MAKE

THIS SAD OBLATION FOR A CHILDS DEARE SAKE:

FOR (READERS) KNOW, SHEE WAS MORE, THEN* A CHILD,

IN INFANT-AGE SHEE WAS AS GRAVE AS MILD,

ALL, THAT, IN CHILDREN, DVTY CALL’D MIGHT BE,

IN HER, WAS FRENDSHIP AND TRWE PIETIE.

BY REASON AND RELIGION SHEE AT SEAVEN,

PREPAR’D HERSELFE & FOVND HER WAY TO HEAVEN.

HIGH HEAVEN THOV HAST HER & DIDST TAKE HER HENCE

THE PERFECT PATTERNE OF OBEDIENCE,

AT THOSE FEW YEARES, AS ONELY LENT TO SHOW,

WHAT DVTY YOVNG ONES TO THEIR PARENTS OWE,

AND (BY HER EARLY GRAVITY, APPEARING

FVLL RIPE FOR GOD, BY SERVING & BY FEARING)

TO TEACH THE OLD, TO FIXE ON HIM THEIR TRVST,

BEFORE THEIR BODIES SHALL RETVRNE TO DVST.

* For Than

No. XXXIII

This monument is on the E. wall, just above No. xxxii (see October, 1904).For convenience’ sake, its long inscription is given here first.It runs as follows:-

This inscription is printed as it now appears.There are parishioners still living who can recollect its being re-gilded.I would suggest that the following errors were then made by the workman_- in line 2 of the verses, VT should be AT, and VERO should be VIRO; in line 6, EPO should be ERO.

It may be translated as follows:- Near this place lies buried the body of Dame Dorothy Forth, eldest daughter and co-heiress of John Gilbert of Great Finborough in the County of Suffolk, Knight, who was married, first to William Forth, Knight, secondly to Gresham Perkins, Esquire - by both of whom she had a numerous issue - last of all to William Tyrell of the Abbey of Bury St. Edmunds, Esquire, second son of the late Thomas Tyrell of Gipping, Esquire, who by her had then three children, who, for the use of God, were taken away before their time.She died A.D. 1641, on the nineteenth day of April, in the fifty-third year of her age.

And the verses thus:- What dost thou behold?Death?Dost thou admire [this] token of love?But it is a dead wife joined to a living husband.Alas! she was good [and] pious. May I not depart from goodness nor piety!May God permit me to live in them!The dear children (pledges) that thou seest lying below our hands – death stole them away privily.Woe to me, I shall be alone!I follow thee, O wife, and I follow O tender children.There will be no monument to me in vain marble.

I regret that, this being the eve of my departure from England, I have no time to describe this monument minutely.I will describe its chief points, beginning at the top.

The shield now at the top belongs to No. xxxi (see October, 1904).Formerly there was a larger shield with the arms of the Tyrell family and eight quarterings, but it has disappeared.Next come the words:

MEMORIAESACRUM

-Sacred to the memory of.Then the motto:

Sumus, fuimus, erimus

-We are, we were, we shall be.Then comes an heraldic shield: Argent two chevrons azure within a bordure engrailed gules, on a martlet table a crescent or for difference (Tyrell) impaling azure a chevron engrailed ermine between three eagles displayed or (Gilbert).Then the half-length figures of William Tyrell and his wife Dame Dorothy Forth, dressed in the costume of the time of Charles I.Then the figures of their three children, Mary, Penelope, and “o”.Probably the third died unnamed.Then follows the inscription given in our January number.

No. XXXIV

This is a tablet on the E. wall with the following inscription:-

Near this Place

are interred

the Remains of the late

EDMUND TYRELL Esqr.

of Gipping Hall,

who died in a deep Decline,

on the 30th of March 1799,

in the 54th Year of his Age.

No. XXXV

I have left till almost last the most ancient monument in our Church, namely, that which occupies the archway on the S. side of this Chapel. In his History of Stowmarket, Mr, Hollingsworth calls it the “Abbot’s Tomb” and this is still its usual appellation.I would, however, venture to point out that the matrices or moulds on the flat top of the tomb are the figures of a lady surrounded by her thirteen children.Enough remains to show that she wore the peculiar style of head-dress in vogue at the end of the fifteenth century, and her daughters are similarly attired.Above her head were three heraldic shields; on her right (S. side of tomb) were the figures of five sons, and on her left (N. side of tomb) and at her feet were those of eight daughters.At a first glance, you see only seven daughters, but there is an eighth figure, smaller that the others, placed just above and behind the daughter at the top of the row (N.W. corner).The style of architecture of this tomb and its arch is about 1480 – 90.

The first Tyrell who lived at Gipping Hall was William, third son of Sir John Tyrell, Treasurer of the Household to Henry VI (reigned 1422-61).This William married Margaret, daughter of the Robert Darcy of Maldon, Essex, who died in 1449.William and Margaret Tyrell had thirteen children, five sons (Sir James, Sir Thomas, Edward, John, and John) and eight daughters (Alianor, Anne, Margaret, Dorothy, Alice, Margery, Elizabeth and Mary).This list exactly corresponds with the figures on the tomb, and it seems highly probable that the “Abbot” is really Margaret (nee Darcy), wife of the first Tyrell of Gipping, with her thirteen children all around her.This monument is rather over 400 years old.

Manuscripts in the BritishMuseum show that this tomb has long been unidentified.For instance, at fo. 199d at Add. Ms. 19106, the following extract is copied from an old manuscript relating to Suffolk families: “There is between the Isle that belongs to the family of Tirrell and Sir John Poley’s Pewe, a very faire anciente tombe, but I cannot learne from any man for whom it was.”

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